APIs Ready to Return to Standing Rock

Vowing to continue the struggle against the “black snake” of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, 50 Asian Pacific Islanders gathered Dec. 11 in Los Angeles to hear eyewitness accounts of recent peaceful protests against armed security forces.

Those who traveled 1,500 miles to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation said they joined thousands of other peaceful protesters – known as water protectors – to follow the leadership of Native Americans who were determined to save their tribal water, land, sacred sites and sovereignty without violence.

On Dec. 4, the Army Corps of Engineers halted the pipeline construction until it completes an environmental review of alternative routes with full tribal and public input.

“It takes a tremendous amount of strength to not act out towards the Dakota Access Pipeline and their allies,” said Hsingii Bird, 35, a Taiwanese immigrant who took part in the protests. “I believe the indigenous people are the guardian of Mother Earth, and we must be their best allies. That is what Standing Rock taught me.”

After a long cross-country drive from Long Beach, Alex Montances, 32, said he and other protestors were warmly welcomed by Native American women who recounted generations of violence and oppression against them. Yet when it came time for an all-women march toward the pipeline security forces, they stood strong and calm.

“Women were on the front lines. They marched up to the barbed wire and the armored vehicles,” recalled Montances, a Filipino American. “They asked the security officers to join them to protect water.”

At the fundraiser, Kathy Masaoka spoke about her experience at Wounded Knee in 1973, when Asians Americans traveled there in solidarity with American Indians. Ruben Guevara read his poem about the pipeline struggle.

That didn’t happen, so the 150 women – elderly grandmothers, mothers with babies and small children, teens – retreated, but returned again another time for an all-female march. “The strength of the Native Americans and the Native American women – I have never seen that in my life,” he said.

Mato Means, 34, a member of the Lakota tribe and a military veteran who lives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, said he was appreciative of the efforts by Los Angeles-area Asian Pacific Islanders. “You are all part of the great turtle island,” said Means, referring to the American Indian creation story of how the world first formed as one land mass on a turtle’s back.

More than $1,000 was collected to help the Standing Rock Sioux tribal nation and to send future water protectors when needed. Speakers said they foresee a long struggle because they expect incoming president Donald Trump will attempt to force pipeline construction to resume.

Four recently returned water protectors describe their NoDAPL experiences at Standing Rock: (from left) Mata Means (Jaguar Redfeather is his other name), Nancy Kim, Hsingii Bird and R.D. Wong. David Monkawa (far right) of Progressive Asian Network for Action helped organize the event.

A colorful banner, to be shared with the Standing Rock community of camps and shelters that now face a harsh winter, was also signed by the group. The event was co-organized by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) Environmental Justice Committee and the Progressive Asian Network for Action.

There is a long history of Asian Pacific Islanders joining in solidarity with Native American causes, said Kathy Masaoka of Los Angeles. She recounted the struggle more than 40 years ago when she and other activists traveled to Wounded Knee in South Dakota and were met by armed federal officers, marshals and the FBI.

“There was no Facebook, no video, no news coming out,” Masaoka said. “Wounded Knee was the site of the massacre in the 1800s. And treaties were long broken there.”

Looking ahead, many participants said they will travel back to Standing Rock when the call for help comes. Several supporting organizations are also planning support activities in the Los Angeles area.

Water protector R.G. Wong (left), who went twice to Standing Rock, narrates a slide show showing the struggle. She is joined by fellow water protector Nancy Kim (center) and David Monkawa (right), who helped organize the fundraiser.

“We have to continue standing as allies with our Native American brothers and sisters both in Standing Rock and locally,” said Nancy Kim, a water protector who is ready to return. “And that means educating ourselves regarding the battles and issues they are facing.”

A3PCON is a coalition of community-based organizations that advocates for the rights and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Community in the greater Los Angeles area, with a particular focus on low income, immigrant, refugee and other disadvantaged sectors of the population.

Progressive Asian Network for Action consists of APIs standing with the 99 percent to fight for quality healthcare, education, housing, jobs and full equality for all regardless of class, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

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